I just started my RN program and I'm in my fourth week of Fundamentals and Pharm. We've had three tests so far. I got an 86 on the Pharm test, and I've gotten an 83 and an 89 on the Fundamentals tests.
Now, I know that B's are not "bad grades." But to me, it's very frustrating. I've been fighting a sinus infection and studying hasn't always been easy, but I still feel like I'm dedicating an adequate amount of time to reading. I make note cards, do practice ATI questions, and all that. I had a 4.0 before entering the nursing program and since Fundamentals is only a 6-week class, I'd say there's a pretty good chance I'm going to come out of it with a a B. I'm just feeling very overwhelmed.
Any advice on how to come to terms with these feelings? Like I said, I know it sounds silly... I feel kind of stupid for even posting this! But it worries me, and I want to get into to a good RN-BSN program after I finish up this program (I'm at a local CC). I know in my heart that I am capable of making A's in these courses.
Call me anal-retentive/OCD/a perfectionist, whatever, but school has always been something that I excelled at. Doing my best (and to me, "my best" means earning A's) was always something I could count on. I don't expect to "get" A's, I earn them.
In addition to school, I have a husband and a one-year-old son. So that makes studying a whole lot harder. This month has been especially tough with me waiting for my financial aid disbursement, etc. I was mostly just looking to vent - it's true, I have almost no free time. But I wouldn't want to change that now. :)
In a couple years when I'm an RN, I'll probably look back on this period and smile. By the way - I checked the grades from our last test online today, and I made a 94. So go me!
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Wow, I didn't mean to start any drama.
Call me anal-retentive/OCD/a perfectionist, whatever, but school has always been something that I excelled at. Doing my best (and to me, "my best" means earning A's) was always something I could count on. I don't expect to "get" A's, I earn them.
In addition to school, I have a husband and a one-year-old son. So that makes studying a whole lot harder. This month has been especially tough with me waiting for my financial aid disbursement, etc. I was mostly just looking to vent - it's true, I have almost no free time. But I wouldn't want to change that now. :)
In a couple years when I'm an RN, I'll probably look back on this period and smile. By the way - I checked the grades from our last test online today, and I made a 94. So go me!
Congrats on the 94%!
Waiting on the student loans and Fin. aide is killing me. My husbands work has been slow (self employed) and our school switched to some system that was supposed to have us get our money weeks faster because it's electronic. Well geeeez, they aren't expected to start handing it out until next week. That would be the same time we would be getting our checks. :|
Call me anal-retentive/OCD/a perfectionist, whatever, but school has always been something that I excelled at. Doing my best (and to me, "my best" means earning A's) was always something I could count on. I don't expect to "get" A's, I earn them.
In addition to school, I have a husband and a one-year-old son. So that makes studying a whole lot harder. This month has been especially tough with me waiting for my financial aid disbursement, etc. I was mostly just looking to vent - it's true, I have almost no free time. But I wouldn't want to change that now. :)
In a couple years when I'm an RN, I'll probably look back on this period and smile. By the way - I checked the grades from our last test online today, and I made a 94. So go me!
The sad thing about the internet is that there is always drama. I know it wasn't your intention, but there's always someone who's going to misinterpret your use of words, not see your POV, whatever.
Have you ever seen the Breakfast Club? In a nutshell, the geek wanted to kill himself because he did poorly in a class, and could only accept A's for himself. We all respond to stress and school differently. What person sees as an ideal grade could be completely different to the next person. Some of us are fine with a B or C, some of us could care less, others would kill for that A. I know thats an extreme analogy, but if your used to A's, of course your going to accept A's and be hard on yourself for not acheiving them! It's almost like your not doing good enough, right? I felt the same, but I accepted NS school is harder than most courses, but at times you may need to be willing to accept a B.
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
The sad thing about the internet is that there is always drama. I know it wasn't your intention, but there's always someone who's going to misinterpret your use of words, not see your POV, whatever.
Have you ever seen the Breakfast Club? In a nutshell, the geek wanted to kill himself because he did poorly in a class, and could only accept A's for himself. We all respond to stress and school differently. What person sees as an ideal grade could be completely different to the next person. Some of us are fine with a B or C, some of us could care less, others would literally kill for that A.
I love that movie. :) I love all the '80s brat pack movies - they're a little before my time, but still great!
Oh, this makes me cry in my Geritol.
I sorta feel sorry for you younguns'! John Hughes spoke to our generation, and I'm not sure if you guys got the same experience. It's the Gen Xers version of the Boomers' Woodstock, really. The Gen Yers are either SOL, or I was too old by that time to recognize your iconic movies, music, and media.
On topic...whatever standards someone sets for him/herself should be respected. If someone is happy to just pass, then I am happy with them, given they work hard for it. If someone is sad that he/she didn't get the A, I assume the standards are set at that level, and I can be upset with them.
It's about the person's feelings in comparison to their own standards, not someone else's standards.
Many programs make it next to impossible to get straight A's no matter how hard you work and how much you know. Some instructors' "critical thinking" questions are, well, questionable if you think too critically about them. It can just be dumb luck that gets anyone 100% on a test.
It feels unfair, but perhaps the thinking is that in real life, there are many situations without clear cut "right" answers, where even seasoned professionals will disagree on the best practice, where you never can account for *all* variables, and where there's always more to learn, so get used to there not being a definitively "right" answer like 1 +1 = 2.
Some instructors may also think students should always feel just one step away from failing in order mimic the fact that in clinical practice one is often just one misstep away from causing harm or allowing something untoward to happen. No matter how awesome and responsible your work is day in and day out, that doesn't buffer you or your patients from the potential consequences of a one-off slip-up.
I signed onto AllNurses specifically to write up a vent and saw your posting....
I got into my RN-BSN program with basically a 4.0 (3.95). It's been three weeks and we've had two pharm tests, on which I can't seem to get more than a B+. My first grade was a B, and my second a B+ and it's driving me crazy. I studied hard and was so sure I got 100 on the second test, I almost cried when i saw my grade. It was such an easy exam, and I only got one question wrong but it was one of those "check all that apply questions" that you don't get partial credit for. And so, that question was - 10 points. I'm so mad at myself and feeling discouraged that if I can't get past a B+ on beginning info tests, how am I going to do better on advanced pharm? UGGHHHHH! So, yes, feeling your pain .
I understand the frustration. I'm planning on going into a master's program after I get my BSN, possibly for a DNP...and I need the grades to get me there. Pre-nursing I was an "A" student. So far I've gotten high Bs on my first two nursing tests. Most of the students in my class ended up with a D, which made me feel better (although I felt bad for them...). I'm hoping that my grades can improve. I'm looking into getting an NCLEX book to help me along.
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I understand the frustration. I'm planning on going into a master's program after I get my BSN, possibly for a DNP...and I need the grades to get me there. Pre-nursing I was an "A" student. So far I've gotten high Bs on my first two nursing tests. Most of the students in my class ended up with a D, which made me feel better (although I felt bad for them...). I'm hoping that my grades can improve. I'm looking into getting an NCLEX book to help me along.
That is how I feel at times. Everyone says C=degrees and in the end it doesn't matter. Well it does to go into the higher education degrees, so although when I am working in the hospital it might not matter if I got C's, it will when I go to per sure my higher degree.
That's what I am most concerned about, too. The RN-BSN program I have my heart set on is competitive, and I don't want to be a bedside nurse for my whole career - not that there's anything wrong with that.
A little off topic, but I swear if I make it through this infection I'm fighting right now I will study my *** off for the rest of the semester. My brain is too fogged-up from illness and cold medicine right now to even think about studying.
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I know it wasn't your intention, but there's always someone who's going to misinterpret your use of words, not see your POV, whatever.
ErinRN2B
315 Posts
Wow, I didn't mean to start any drama.
Call me anal-retentive/OCD/a perfectionist, whatever, but school has always been something that I excelled at. Doing my best (and to me, "my best" means earning A's) was always something I could count on. I don't expect to "get" A's, I earn them.
In addition to school, I have a husband and a one-year-old son. So that makes studying a whole lot harder. This month has been especially tough with me waiting for my financial aid disbursement, etc. I was mostly just looking to vent - it's true, I have almost no free time. But I wouldn't want to change that now. :)
In a couple years when I'm an RN, I'll probably look back on this period and smile. By the way - I checked the grades from our last test online today, and I made a 94. So go me!